Top 10 BSN Programs in Utah Based on NCLEX-RN Pass Rates
Discover which schools offer the strongest pathways to RN licensure and career success.
Choosing the right nursing program is one of the most important steps in preparing for a successful career as a registered nurse. A strong nursing school not only provides the academic foundation and clinical experience needed for the profession but also plays a critical role in preparing students for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
This list highlights top BSN programs in Utah, ranked by their most recently available NCLEX-RN pass rates. These pass rates can be one of the most reliable indicators of a program’s quality, reflecting how well students are prepared to meet the demands of licensure and practice.
Eagle Gate College is among the institutions featured and has demonstrated solid performance in preparing students for the NCLEX-RN. While the list is data-driven and objective, it’s important to remember that pass rates are just one part of evaluating the best fit for your nursing education.
Top 10 Nursing Schools in Utah (Ranked by NCLEX-RN Pass Rates) in 2024
Here is the 2024 ranked list of BSN Programs based on first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates from highest to lowest.
- Utah State University (BSN) – 96.88%
- Brigham Young University (BSN) – 96.75%
- Western Governors University (BSN) – 96.36%
- Eagle Gate College (BSN) – 95.24%
- Southern Utah University (BSN) – 95.18%
- Grand Canyon University (BSN – Utah location) – 95.00%
- University of Utah (BSN) – 94.87%
- Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences (BSN) – 94.31%
- Roseman University (BSN) – 93.55%
- Utah Tech University (BSN) – 93.18%
Highlights of Top Nursing School BSN Programs
When selecting a nursing program, it’s important to not only consider NCLEX-RN pass rates, but to also understand what each school truly offers. From curriculum structure and clinical experiences to learning formats and student support, every program brings unique strengths to the table. The summaries below provide a closer look at the top-performing nursing schools in Utah, highlighting their recent NCLEX results, degrees offered, and standout features of their BSN programs to help you make a well-informed decision about your nursing education.
The following summaries present the 2024 NCLEX-RN pass rates and credential offerings for each Utah BSN program, supported by official data from the Utah DOPL and their individual institutional program pages.
1. Utah State University (BSN)
- Pass rate: 96.88% (31/32 first-time candidates)
- Degree offered: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Program highlights: Utah State’s BSN program provides hands-on learning through clinical experiences in hospitals and community settings across Utah. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice, patient-centered care, and leadership development, preparing graduates for a broad range of nursing roles.
2. Brigham Young University (BSN)
- Pass rate: 96.75% (119/123 first-time candidates)
- Degree offered: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Program highlights: BYU’s BSN program features a Christian values-centered curriculum paired with an accredited simulation center, nursing advisement center and extensive cooperative use of hospitals and healthcare facilities in many sites in Utah.
3. Western Governors University (BSN)
- Pass rate: 96.36% (53/55 first-time candidates)
- Degrees offered: Prelicensure BSN, RN to BSN, BSN to MSN, RN to MSN, Certificates
- Program highlights: WGU’s BSN program includes flexible online coursework available 24/7, with accelerated progress through competency-based assessments. Includes seven local clinical rotations with assigned healthcare partners and two hands-on learning lab experiences.
4. Eagle Gate College (BSN)
- Pass rate: 95.24% (80/84 first-time candidates)
- Degrees offered: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Practical Nursing, RN to BSN, MSN, Direct Entry MSN (MEPN)
- Program highlights: Eagle Gate’s BSN program is an accelerated, blended-learning format that stands out for its extensive simulation labs and active clinical training, emphasizing real-world readiness. This strong foundation contributes to consistently high NCLEX-RN pass rates—well above the state average.
5. Southern Utah University (BSN)
- Pass rate: 95.18% (79/83 first-time candidates)
- Degrees offered: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Health Professional (HP) to BSN, RN to BSN, MSN, RN to MSN, MSN-MBA, Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), MSN Cybersecurity, Nursing Leadership and Administration Post Graduate Certificate
- Program highlights: SUU’s BSN prepares students for RN licensure in any state through a 4-semester, full-time, in-person format. With fall and spring start dates, it includes live classes, skills labs, and diverse clinical experiences across Utah in settings like hospitals, long-term care, pediatrics, and community health.
6. Grand Canyon University (BSN)
- Pass rate: 95.00% (19/20 first-time candidates)
- Degrees offered: Pre-licensure BSN, RN to BSN, ABSN, MSN, NP, MSN-MBA
- Program highlights: GCU’s BSN program combines hands-on clinical experience with a focus on patient care, health promotion, technology, and leadership. Students work directly with patients under instructor supervision and complete a capstone project using research to improve safety and outcomes.
7. University of Utah (BSN)
- Pass rate: 94.87% (148/156 first-time candidates)
- Degrees offered: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), RN to BSN
- Program highlights: Based at a major academic medical center, University of Utah’s BSN program offers hands-on, evidence-based learning that emphasizes safety, professionalism, and patient-centered care. The BSN program offers flexible start dates completed in as few as four semesters, 12–24 hours of supervised clinical experience each week in diverse healthcare settings and guided by experienced nurse preceptors.
8. Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences (BSN)
- Pass rate: 94.31% (199/211 first-time candidates)
Degree offered: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) - Program highlights: Joyce University offers an accelerated BSN program designed to help students enter the nursing workforce quickly. The program combines online coursework with in-person skills labs and clinical rotations, supported by a dedicated faculty and modern simulation technology.
9. Roseman University (BSN)
- Pass rate: 93.55% (116/124 first-time candidates)
- Degrees offered: ABSN, Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia (DNPNA), Doctor of Nursing Practice-Family Nurse Practitioner (DNPFNP)
- Program highlights: Roseman’s BSN program is an accelerated 18-month program featuring hybrid-online learning for enhanced flexibility. Clinical rotations, group assignments, and laboratory assignments are also held in-person at one of the Roseman campuses and/or nearby affiliated healthcare facilities.
10. Utah Tech University (BSN)
- Pass rate: 93.18% (82/88 first-time candidates)
- Degrees offered: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), RN to BSN
- Program highlights: Utah Tech’s BSN program prepares students to become well-rounded registered nurses, delivering evidence-based, compassionate care across diverse settings. The program emphasizes hands-on clinical experience, health promotion, innovative technologies, and leadership readiness.
Why NCLEX Pass Rates Matter When Choosing a Nursing School
Administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), the NCLEX-RN exam evaluates whether candidates are prepared to begin safe and effective entry-level nursing practice. When researching nursing schools, NCLEX pass rates can be a key indicator of program quality. High pass rates suggest that a school’s curriculum effectively prepares students for the demands of nursing practice and that students receive the academic and clinical support needed to succeed.
Consistently strong performance on the NCLEX often reflects experienced faculty, rigorous coursework, and comprehensive test preparation resources—all critical components of a successful nursing education. For prospective students, considering pass rates can offer valuable insight into how well a program equips graduates for licensure and long-term career success.
About Eagle Gate College’s Nursing Program
Eagle Gate College offers a variety of nursing programs in Utah designed to support students at different stages of their nursing careers. These programs reflect Eagle Gate’s emphasis on flexibility, hands-on training, and accelerated pathways to help students enter or advance within the nursing profession.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): This pre-licensure program is designed to be completed in as little as 36 months. It follows a hybrid model that blends online instruction with in-person skills labs and clinical experiences in diverse healthcare settings. The curriculum is structured to provide a strong foundation in patient care, critical thinking, and evidence-based practice.
- Practical Nursing (PN): A full-time, 12-month program that prepares students to take the NCLEX-PN and begin working as Licensed Practical Nurses. The program includes hands-on clinical training and can serve as a steppingstone for those planning to pursue RN licensure in the future.
- RN-to-BSN: Designed for licensed Registered Nurses, this fully online program allows students to earn their BSN in as little as 20 months. The curriculum expands on prior clinical experience and emphasizes leadership development, healthcare systems, community health, and research, preparing nurses for advanced roles and career progression.
- Master’s Entry Program in Nursing (MEPN): This accelerated, 20-month program is intended for individuals who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. The MEPN prepares graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN and also lays the groundwork for continuing into master’s-level nursing roles.
As mentioned previously, Eagle Gate’s BSN program recently reported a 95.24% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for 2024. Features likely contributing to this outcome are modern simulation labs equipped with high-fidelity manikins, extensive clinical placements at hospitals and clinics, flexible hybrid course delivery that supports working students, and strong faculty support.
Start Your Nursing Journey with Purpose
NCLEX-RN pass rates offer valuable insight into a nursing program’s ability to prepare students for real-world practice and licensure. High pass rates can reflect strong academic support, effective clinical training, and a curriculum aligned with national nursing standards. As you evaluate nursing schools, it’s important to consider these outcomes alongside factors like program structure, flexibility, and student resources.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your nursing journey, now is the time to explore your options. Whether you’re just starting out and want to learn how to become a Registered Nurse, comparing roles like LPN vs. RN, or you’re a licensed RN looking to advance your career through an RN-to-BSN program, Eagle Gate College offers pathways designed to support your goals. Our flexible BSN program equips future nurses with the knowledge and clinical experience needed to succeed—so you can make a meaningful impact in healthcare. To learn more, visit Eagle Gate College’s Nursing Programs and learn more about the multiple educational pathways for aspiring and practicing nurses.
